Last month the 10th Annual Conference of the Rural Fire Services Association was held at the Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour. Many Members travelled from far and wide across NSW, interstate and overseas to attend. The attendance by so many Members at the conference is testament to the commitment and passion embodied within our service, which is so hard to describe, but felt by one and all.

The Conference organising committee is to be commended in delivering such a successful and comprehensive event, which challenged the mindset and broadened the perspectives of all who attended.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Members of State Council for allowing me the opportunity to serve as the RFSA President once again. It is a privilege to represent the Association and its Members, who are committed to the Rural Fire Service and the protection of their rural communities.

It is indeed an unique experience that the RFSA enjoys in representing the interests of its Members to the Service and to the wider community. It does so in a way that also represents the interests and values of an extraordinary band of people, who give their time in often extremely hazardous situations to protect their fellow neighbours and friends from the threat of wildfire.

I would also like to congratulate Jane Hollier and Brian McDonough, who have been newly elected to the RFSA Board of Directors. Jane is the currently the Coordinator of Operational Services with the NSW Rural Fire Service. Brian is a volunteer and has been a member of the Frazers Cutting Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade (Tenterfield District, Northern Tablelands) for seven years and is currently serving as the Deputy Captain.

The assessment of RFSA Grants Scheme applications is currently underway with 264 applications received, amounting to $1.5 million. With the Scheme offering $1.1 million (including GST) this year, the State Council will determine the successful grant applications at its meeting of 20 August. Notices of successful and unsuccessful grant applicants will be issued, as scheduled, by 31 August.
Brian McKinlay
President

Last month was a busy time for the RFSA with the Annual Conference at Coffs Harbour, State Board appointments and the launch of the new website.

I hope all Members who joined us at the Conference thoroughly enjoyed themselves and have taken something away from the impressive line up of speakers. I hope to see you all again next Conference along with as many new faces as possible. My congratulations to the Organising Committee for an outstanding job!

I would like to congratulate all Board Members on their reappointment or new status as members of the State Board. The RFSA looks forward to working with you over the next two years in achieving the goals and objectives of the Association.

The launch of the RFSA’s new website has markedly improved Member access to information, updates, the RFSA shop and has provided an alternative way to support the RFSA Raffles. The feedback I received at the Conference about the new website was very positive and encouraging. Like all new systems, there are bound to be teething issues, which the Project Team is currently addressing.

The RFSA has wrapped up its 2011 Annual Conference, which was held at the Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour. The Conference was a resounding success, with local and international presenters covering a range of topics, including climate change, terrorism and litigation.

RFSA President Brian McKinlay said the 2011 RFSA Conference theme “Facing the Challenges Together” applied to matters within the RFSA, issues that confront the RFSA and the values of our Members in their support and commitment to the RFS.

In his opening address, Mr McKinlay reflected upon the achievements of the RFSA in the past year, including the Association’s proactive role in supporting the interests of members. In the lead up to the recent State Election, he said, the Association “had established a defined position across a range of issues” and sought a committed response from the respective political parties.

“For the Association to develop 33 policies across seven broad areas of interest is commendable,” Mr McKinlay said. “It is indeed significant that the present Government prior to the State Election agreed with 20 of those policies and gave partial or qualified support to a further 11 of those policies.

“The challenges confronting the Association now are to ensure that the commitments given by the Liberal National Coalition in opposition are carried out now that they are in Government."

Mr McKinlay acknowledged that much had been achieved by the RFSA since the Association’s incorporation in 1996, however, for it to remain relevant “it must maintain relationship with the grassroots values of its members, whilst at the same time, through its developed strategic planning process, explore the future and define the pathways to achieve those strategic goals”.

Conference delegates heard from a range of speakers, including the inspiring ‘Firefoxes Australia’, a grassroots support group for women that was born out of the 2009 Kinglake bushfire. The privately run relief centre has since been awarded the Pride of Australia Medal for their simple and highly effective disaster recovery and community preparedness strategies.

Ms Sally Barnes, the Deputy Director General of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) and head of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service discussed fire management planning frameworks and DECCW’s role in managing bushfires in National Parks.

Dr Michael Eburn discussed history and trends in bushfire litigation, while mathematician Dr Jason Sharples informed delegates of some of the dynamic modes of bushfire spread that can occur and its implications for fire fighter safety and bushfire risk mitigation.

Detective Superintendent Greig Newbery talked about ‘working together’ and interagency cooperation in bushfire investigation and prevention, and Superintendent John Stapleton spoke about multi-agency response to terrorism and how it relates to bush fires.

Chief Superintendent Steve Yorke, AFSM, provided updates on the Emergency Services Computer Aided Dispatch (ESCAD) project and outlined some of the challenges for the introduction and implementation of the system.

NSW RFS Counselling and Support Unit Manager, Paul Scott, explained how traumatic incidents can affect people and how the RFS’s Critical Incident Support Services can help and be accessed by Members.

International speaker, Amanda Gore, energised the conference with a highly interactive presentation about changing perceptions, dealing with stress and change, and how to laugh more and rediscover joy.

The South Pacific-themed Conference Dinner encouraged a temporary surge in Hawaiian shirt and grass skirt popularity, along with the emergence of characters from The Love Boat, Popeye and a group of saucy sailors. Comedian Peter Berner entertained the crowds with his satire and unique sense of humour.

Funds generated from RFSA Raffles directly benefit Members through a number of 'giving' programs that include $1.1 million annual grants to brigades for operational, amenity and welfare items.

The generous support of half a million people across NSW who purchase RFSA Raffle tickets is very much appreciated. Contributions also allow the RFSA to continue providing the most effective means of communicating the views of volunteer firefighters to those in power.

Purchasing raffle tickets has just been made all the more easier for RFSA supporters through www.rfsaraffles.org.au.

Save 10% or more on your next accommodation bill as a Member of the RFSA! This month Metro Hotels has joined existing benefit providers Best Western and Hotel Club, offering Members 10% off their accommodation.

Metro Hotels are located in all capital cities and some country locations around Australia. In Sydney, locations include Sydney Central, Pitt Street in the CBD, Aspire Hotel (next to the Sydney Convention Centre), Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour, King Street, Edgecliff, Ryde and Miranda.

The discount will be applied by entering the promotional code "RFSA" when booking your stay with Metro Hotels through the RFSA Member Benefit website.

Best Western Hotels also offer a 10% discount to Members. Hotels, motels and motor inns are located in various locations in Northern NSW, New England, Central NSW, the Hunter, Central Coast, Southern NSW, ACT, Sydney and surrounds, and the Blue Mountains. To access Best Western’s 10% discount, quote the corporate ID number "01340340" when making your booking either online or over the phone on 131 779.

Global accommodation website Hotel Club offers Members 15% off their accommodation costs. Members can enjoy the discounted rate by logging into the RFSA’s Member Advantage portal (http://www.member-advantage.com/group.asp?g=87) and clicking on the Hotel Club link provided.

The RFSA hopes you take advantage of these fantastic benefits and wishes you safe and happy travels.

Members of the NSW Rural Fire Service Association may elect to receive an email version or a print version of this publication. To change your preference or to unsubscribe, please login to your www.rfsa.org.au online user account and change your preferences, or contact communications@rfsa.org.au, or telephone (02) 4722 2122.